My son wanted to watch The Doodys came to the house. I was very sceptical, but after watching a couple of episodes I saw a certain genius in it! The show is not primarily about riding a moped around the living room, but the Dudjons are actually making a difference to interactions, family activities and values. The methods are quite original. Here, I explore what workplaces can learn from the Duudsons.

Finding out the background to the problem

The episode usually starts with a family having a problem and a family member writing to the Duudsons about it. When the problem is solved, there is usually something else in the background. The work is idiosyncratic, sometimes involving moped rides around the living room until you get to the underlying problem, such as blocked interactions, lack of appreciation or missing rules, and discover that even the original problem is solved. In the end, everyone is happier.

Locks in interaction

Dudjons often discover and solve emotional or interaction issues. They find locked settings and interview people individually to understand different aspects of a situation. If in the past the Dudsons were known for being mostly dangerous, now they create good constructive interaction.

What can we learn from the Duudsons?

1. When something goes wrong in everyday life, there's usually something else behind it. It's worth looking into the background. This is also true in the workplace.

2. Different people often have very different perspectives and need to be understood. Dudjons often interview family members separately. This helps to find out the interests involved and to make better decisions. However, they do not plot separately, but want to understand - solutions are found together. All this is very well suited to the workplace.

3. Outspokenness is usually rewarded. It is worthwhile to verbalise your observations. When you do so with honest and open interest, others are usually constructive.

4. "Headlessness" and taking proper action is an engaging experience. We are often very deliberate at work. Sometimes the Duudson's "hey guys, let's get this thing done! You take that and I'll do this, of course it's going to work!" is a better way of getting things done than "let's all make sure we listen to everyone at every stage before we make any changes, so that nothing happens", which can be a bit slow and can make you sleepy. Excessive analysis can also sometimes make you see the bull in the hornets.

5. Talking about your feelings makes it easier. In several episodes, the Dudsons help and guide family members to talk to each other about their feelings. In practice, this always leads to positive reactions and a sense of belonging. There are also feelings in the work community and it is also good to talk about them.

Why a moped in the living room?

I'll come back to riding a moped. To make people look at their own activities with new eyes, sometimes you need to shake things up. The Dudsons do this, for example, by washing Mum's party dress with a pressure washer while wearing a Jarp. After an absurd situation, you're open to seeing something new. I see that this kind of shaking up is sometimes necessary because there are often tensions between us humans that go back many years. For example, a child is in one pot and a parent in another, or parents in their own. The fault seems to lie with the other and we are blind to our own actions. This boils down to the last one:

6. Sometimes it's good to shake things up to see what's new. We see each other's faults and mistakes more clearly than our own. Changing perspective is hard, but it's worth it. One way is to shake things up. There are also softer ways to open up the interaction and be heard. It depends on the situation which works best.

These six tools for the workplace are unusual, but quite useful. The principles of human interaction are the same at home as they are at work. 

The key is balance

At the same time, I am aware that in general, in work communities as well as in families, it pays to be patient, to listen and to apply good practices. Dudsonit offers spice, a new perspective and a way out: chilli sauce is nice to put in a dish sometimes, but it's not good for the main course.

Aleksis Nokso-Koivisto

P.S. If you're interested in shaking up the interactions, rules and practices of family life, I recommend checking out The Duddies came to the house.